Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 161
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 161
Hello,

I am trying to create a new part on either the soloist or melody tracks entering notes in the notation windows and then picking a midi instrument to play them. I have opened the notation window in editable mode and I see that the bar is divided into sixteenth notes. Is it fairly straight forward to enter notes this way in band in a box or is there a simpler way by doing the notation in a different program and then importing into band in a box?

Thank you kind people for any help

Regards
Jan

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,059
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,059
You can import the melody from another program as long as you save it as a Standard MIDI file (you can also go the other way).

However, I think the note entry in BIAB is THE best method out there. Actually, BIAB presents several methods. If you use the mouse, each note will appear to be too long until you enter the next one. You can also easily enter rests. It may not seem intuitive at first, but you'll pick it up very quickly.

The measure isn't necessarily divided into sixteenth notes; you can set it for triplets. Use the little Opt button left of the Print button, and select Triplet Resolution at the far left. You can even use the right-click in the red timeline area (above the staff) to change resolution in one bar.

You can also record a melody with one key, and then adjust the pitches later. Or, if you are a lot better with a keyboard than I am, play and record it directly, knowing mouse edits are easy later. I often slow down the tempo to enter a melody with the keyboard, then bring it back to speed. You can drag a note with the mouse for either timing or pitch, or right-click on a note for finer adjustments.

Give it a try, look at the tutorials, and come back here with any questions.


BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 161
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 161
Thanks you very much Matt for that in depth explanation.

Jan

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 161
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 161
Hi again,

I'm getting on not too bad at entering notes, but one thing is puzzling me, how do I enter a triplet in a straight 4/4 song? I have gone into options and ticked the triplets box, The notes enter fine as a triplet but once I revert to 4/4 time I loose the triplet for those particular 3 notes that I want played as a triplet ie crochet 1 beat length.

regards
jan

Last edited by jan larkin; 02/06/11 05:49 PM.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,059
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,059
Two ways. In Editable Notation mode:

As you know, you can switch between triplet and straight by clicking on the Opt. button (far left) and then check / uncheck Triplet Resolution/Swing.

Or, to do it one at a time, just right-click on the timeline above the measure you are editing, and you can set the Beat Resolution.

You may not be able to get a printout that looks right. There is a FAQ on this, though; I'll see if I can find it.

EDIT: It's FAQ #25. Read this: http://www.pgmusic.com/techfaq23.htm#25

Last edited by Matt Finley; 02/06/11 05:57 PM.

BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 161
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 161
Ah I got it, Thank you very much again Matt for all your kind help in this. Now its just a case of entering the right notes as I'm a complete novice at reading or writing music.

jan

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 3
I
Newbie
Offline
Newbie
I
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 3
What about quarter note triplets? I see how to get 8th note triplets by subdividing a bar into 3 but what about two bars for the quarter note triplet?

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,059
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,059
Ah, revisting a blast from the past (2011)?

IanTai, welcome to the forum.

Perhaps you meant to say, two beats [for a quarter-note triplet] instead of two bars? When you are in Editable Notation Mode, and you have set the timing to triplets, use every OTHER dotted vertical line for quarter note triplets. [Use EVERY dotted vertical line for eighth note triplets.] So the quarter note triplets would be entered on the first, third and fifth dotted vertical lines. Etc.


BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,332
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,332
Originally Posted By: IanTai
What about quarter note triplets? I see how to get 8th note triplets by subdividing a bar into 3 but what about two bars for the quarter note triplet?

Like this? Well it's not that easy. It displays like this in Editable mode, but switch out of edit, and unfortunately that's no longer what is presented...

Attached Files (Click to download or enlarge) (Only available when you are logged in)
2015-08-04_10-54-39.jpg (90.52 KB, 154 downloads)

BIAB & RB2025 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,059
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,059
I don't know, Trevor, but I'd call those half-note triplets. However, you DID subdivide a full bar (measure) into 3, as was requested.

Since we have clearly read his question differently, it would help if IanTai could come back and clarify.


BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,332
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,332
Originally Posted By: Matt Finley
I don't know, Trevor, but I'd call those half-note triplets. However, you DID subdivide a full bar (measure) into 3, as was requested.

Since we have clearly read his question differently, it would help if IanTai could come back and clarify.

Matt, thanks, yes I wasn't sure how to interpret. It could be done one way or the other, but not both at the same time. I took a guess. Let me see what I can do with the quarter note job...
I'll be back

Trevor


BIAB & RB2025 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 3
I
Newbie
Offline
Newbie
I
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 3
Yes. I meant two beats not measures. So a quarter note triplet would be the equivalent of two beats in a four beat measure. I have one other question about notation, but I'm sure if it should be posted here or elsewhere -

When I notate my melody, it appears to play back with my song. I can see the notes being played light up, but I don't have any play back sound for what I've written. Thanks for responding.

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 3
I
Newbie
Offline
Newbie
I
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 3
I worked out the melody issue. Thanks for the help.

Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,332
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,332
OK, I'm back. Finally got a chance to have a look at this. Here are the quarter note triplets - the other possible interpretation.

Oh, and welcome Ian to the Forum!

Attached Files (Click to download or enlarge) (Only available when you are logged in)
2015-08-04_22-41-56.jpg (49.8 KB, 130 downloads)

BIAB & RB2025 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,059
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,059
Good. A quarter note triplet is three notes sounding evenly spaced in two consecutive beats (assuming a time signature where the second number is 4). Measures don't factor into it...


BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,332
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,332
Originally Posted By: Matt Finley
Good. A quarter note triplet is three notes sounding evenly spaced in two consecutive beats (assuming a time signature where the second number is 4). Measures don't factor into it...

Hi Matt. 100% agree
Only difference for me is all the music theory and rudiments I studied, and the examinations I sat for all those years ago only taught me terms like minims, crotchets, quavers, semi-quavers, demi-semi-quavers, semibreves etc... (Australian Music Conservatorium and London College of Music) Yes, they do it a little differently here. smirk


BIAB & RB2025 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,059
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,059
Trevor, every time I see terms like that, I quaver in my boots.


BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,332
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20,332
Originally Posted By: Matt Finley
Trevor, every time I see terms like that, I quaver in my boots.

Ha Ha
Good one
Normal for me, but feel free to shake away... crazy


BIAB & RB2025 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,703
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,703
Originally Posted By: Matt Finley
Trevor, every time I see terms like that, I quaver in my boots.


Hey Matt,

Can you do a demonstration of these concepts ( minims, crotchets, quavers, semi-quavers, demi-semi-quavers, semibreves ) on the Flugelhorn for me?...lol

And I thought BB was going to be an arcane subject, I had no idea what I was getting in to...lollol

You guys are too funny. At least I get to laugh till tears run down my face.

Yours Truly,

Seriously confused...lol


Last edited by Planobilly; 08/04/15 06:29 AM.

“Amazing! I’ll be working with Jaco Pastorius, Charlie Parker, Art Tatum, and Buddy Rich, and you’re telling me it’s not that great of a gig?
“Well…” Saint Peter, hesitated, “God’s got this girlfriend who thinks she can sing…”
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.

ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.

PG Music News
New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2025!

We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!

Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!

Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.

Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles

Check out all the 202 New RealTracks (in sets 456-467)

And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.

You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.

Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!

The 2025 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2025 49-PAK!

Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac!

With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!

These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!

This Free Bonus PAK includes:

  • The 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK: -For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles. -For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles. -For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
  • Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
  • Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
  • MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
  • Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
  • Playable RealTracks Set 4
  • RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
  • SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
  • 128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.

Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:

  • 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
  • FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
  • Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
  • Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
  • MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
  • Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
  • RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe

Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®!

New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!

Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!

We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!

In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!

We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!

If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!

Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.

Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.

New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!

Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!

We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!

In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!

All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.

Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Windows!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!

We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!

If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!

Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.

Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.

Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support

Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins

Join the conversation on our forum.

Forum Statistics
Forums58
Topics84,405
Posts778,786
Members39,649
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
Parsinux, Mike McVay, misha pelt, Slick Locrian, daveg68
39,648 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 132
DC Ron 110
WaoBand 104
dcuny 87
rsdean 79
Today's Birthdays
plotzie
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5